Scott Coker: No set plans for Strikeforce grand-prix winner or 'plus-one' fight

So what happens to next week’s winner of the Strikeforce world heavyweight grand prix?

It’s a good question, but it’s still one without an answer.

In a recent media call, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said there are no definite plans for the winner of the May 19 headliner between Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier.

Barnett (31-5 MMA, 2-0 SF) and Cormier (9-0 MMA, 6-0 SF) meet in the long-awaited finale of the 15-month-long tournament, which began with eight fighters (and swelled to nine when Cormier replaced Alistair Overeem in the semifinals). The tourney conclusion airs on Showtime from HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Officials have maintained that the grand-prix winner will get another Strikeforce fight – informally referred to as the “plus-one” fight – but Coker said nothing definitive has been decided beyond that. Yes, the winner will fight again for Strikeforce (though the organization’s other heavyweights have already been folded into the UFC, its sister promotion). Otherwise?

“There have been some preliminary conversations, but as you can imagine, it depends on who wins and if there are any injuries … (and) any injuries to other fighters that we might be looking to come fight the winner,” he said. “That’s something that we could probably have a better picture of once the fight’s over and see if there are any injuries.”

Barnett, who enters the finale as a slight favorite, said his management, the media and fans can waste their energy worrying about it.

“Me? I do not care,” he said. “It does not matter. I’ve got to beat Daniel Cormier, and then after that I’m sure there will be somebody else, and whatever they’re doing someplace else, more power to them.”

Cormier and Barnett clearly have earned the right and proven they can compete with the UFC’s heavyweights. But winning the tourney actually will delay a potential move.

“Scott Coker (and) everybody at Zuffa’s done a great job of letting us know that after this fight you aren’t going over,” he said. “You know that you have to fight in Strikeforce, so my idea that I have this fight and another one in Strikeforce. Whatever happens after that happens.

“Because in reality, that’s not till probably next year, so what’s the point in talking seven, eight months in advance when you’ve got a guy like Josh Barnett standing in front of you? I’m not doing myself that disservice.”

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